Nonprofit undergoing $29M campus reinvention names top fundraiser

SARASOTA — The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee recently named Hermione Gilpin chief advancement officer. She joins the nonprofit as it undergoes a major campaign to support a $29 million redevelopment project of its main campus.

Gilpin, well-known in the Sarasota philanthropic community, will lead a team of development professionals and volunteers to support the Federation’s mission: to strengthen Jewish life, provide for people in need and promote support for Israel, according to a statement. Gilpin will join the Federation Jan. 24, the release adds.

"Our Federation is incredibly fortunate to have found in Hermione Gilpin a development professional who met our many requirements," Federation CEO Shep Englander says in the release. “COVID made our needs even more numerous.  After quickly raising $19 million, our campaign for the re-development of our campus for Jewish Life was delayed.  Now, our community is counting on us to accelerate the effort.  So we not only need a development leader with experience successfully managing development teams and securing significant annual, capital and endowment gifts, we also need a development leader who knows the Sarasota-Manatee Jewish and philanthropic communities. Hermione’s track record fully matches our needs.” 

As vice president of institutional advancement and planning at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens for the past several years, Gilpin helped secure leadership gifts and built a team of development professionals, the release states. She also played key roles in the capital campaign for Selby Gardens' Master Plan. Prior to Selby, Gilpin was a philanthropic advisor for the Gulf Coast Foundation. She started her local development career in at the Asolo Repertory Theater.

"I've long been impressed with the Jewish Federation's mission, especially how the Federation inspires deep conversations, broadminded perspectives and dedication to learning,” Gilpin says in the statement. “I'm energized by the vision for the Larry and Mary Greenspon Family Campus for Jewish Life.  It will be a unique community gathering place where people with different backgrounds will exchange ideas and pass on Jewish values and traditions to the next generation. I can't wait to help realize that vision."

The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee had $45 million in assets and $13.3 million in gross receipts in its most recent fiscal year, according to public tax filings.